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Sexual Selection, Good Genes, and Human Mating

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Conceptual Challenges in Evolutionary Psychology

Part of the book series: Studies in Cognitive Systems ((COGS,volume 27))

Abstract

Sexual selection is selection due to differential access to quantity and quality of mates. One form of it, intersexual selection, is due to differential access to mates driven by the mate preferences of individuals of the other sex. The major question about sexual selection pursued in theoretical investigation during the past two decades is, what accounts for mate preferences that drive intersexual selection? Several plausible models have been developed, one or more of which may apply to any particular species. This chapter has two major aims. First, evolutionary psychologists are interested in the linked tasks of inferring historical selection pressures that shaped psychological adaptations governing behavior, and describing the nature of those adaptations. Williams (1966) proposed that the criterion for inferring selection pressures, and thereby identifying adaptations that resulted, is special design. The logic of Williams’ approach is briefly described. Second, one particular process of interest is good genes sexual selection. This form of sexual selection occurs when members of one sex (I focus here on females) prefer as sexual mates individuals who possess markers of good genes, whose gametes benefit the chooser’s offspring. The criterion of special design applied to good genes sexual selection is: Are there any features of female mate choice that possess special design for choosing mates for their gametes, such that it is unlikely that such features would have evolved were they not designed by selection for this function? After discussing relevant background theory, I present several lines of evidence that are suggestive of such special design.

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  1. University of New Mexico, USA

    Steven W. Gangestad

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  1. Steven W. Gangestad
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  1. University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA

    Harmon R. Holcomb III

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Gangestad, S.W. (2001). Sexual Selection, Good Genes, and Human Mating. In: Holcomb, H.R. (eds) Conceptual Challenges in Evolutionary Psychology. Studies in Cognitive Systems, vol 27. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0618-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0618-7_6

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